5 easy ways to stay inspired while blogging

by Amy on September 10, 2012

My husband writes for a blog with a friend, and when he first started he was “blogging like crazy” (his words) … Now if you visit the site you’ll see the latest entry was in February.

He has a system – he puts on a record and sits in his ‘working’ spot and blogs …. Except now he doesn’t. The “system” no longer works.

Between being crazy busy and blogging being so much work, both Andrew and his co-blogger completely fell off the wagon and have apparently given up on the site.

They’ve lost their inspiration.

I’m SURE that has happened to you to, if you have a blog. It happens to me about once a month. Or more.

That said …. I’ve got a couple go-to tricks to stay inspired while blogging:

Write down every idea you get

… whether you need to use it right then or not.

I’ve written before about how to keep track of blog ideas. If you’re not already, you need to start keeping a notebook or note-writing app or similar. You really never know when an idea will find you, and you don’t want to lose it.

I’ve even taken to using the voice memo app on my phone, since I get ideas during my (long) drive to and from work.

Maintain a blogging schedule

Keeping an editorial calendar for your blog is wonderful and magical. I can’t praise it enough.

But if you find yourself with waves of inspiration (and valleys of blah), maintaining an editorial calendar can help you even out that blogging mojo a bit.

Let’s say you get an idea for a multi-post series. You can write them all at once, when you’re feeling the inspiration, and schedule them for once a week for a month. That way, next week when you’re feeling burnt out and uninspired you know you already have an awesome post ready to go.

Blogging ahead has saved me more than once.

Start a new project

This can be learning something new (I’m currently working on United States History) or creating something new (like a minibook or an ecourse).

Either learning new things or focusing your efforts on a new creation will distract you from whatever creative block is keeping you from blogging. Then the new ideas you’re reading about or working on will lead to the new ideas you need for your blog.

Talk it over

Maybe you have a couple ideas you can run by a friend. Maybe you have no ideas and just complain to your husband.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you – and conversations you have with them can only be good for you and inspire you.

Step away from the computer

Take a walk, mindfully do the dishes, do something to jump start your creativity and shift your perspective.

I often find that creative inspiration tends to find me when I’m in a new place, trying something new, or just getting out of my regular routine.

Not to get super-sciency on you or anything … but creativity is all about making new connections between otherwise unconnected things. In order to jump start our creativity, we need to start seeing the same ol’ same ol’ in a brand new way. We need to shift our perspective and our point-of-view – by stepping away from the computer.

Some additional resources from around the web:

How do you stay inspired while blogging?

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5 easy ways to improve your business right now

by Amy on May 1, 2012

What are you doing this weekend?

All of these you can do in an hour or so. So! If you have some free time, here are some easy ways to boost your business right now ….

Write a guest post

Brainstorm, pitch and craft your guest post. If you’re in the habit of writing blog posts anyway, a guest post can be one of the easiest ways to bump your marketing. Make sure whatever subject you write about naturally leads back to your site or business. No sense in pitching a guest post without links.

Plan your next email campaign

This could be anything from an exclusive DIY project to a teaser of your next release. If you are just getting started with email marketing you can check out my tips here. Brainstorm some exclusive content you can share with just your email subscribers, make note of all your ‘news’ to share with them, or even just send out a coupon or other special.

Your email subscribers want to hear from you – so send them the goods!

Take time to comment on other blogs/tweets/Facebook statuses

By supporting your fellow artists/bloggers/business owners with your comments and ReTweets you are not only making their day by showing that you care about what they are creating, but also putting your own name/link out there to make additional connections.

Really put in the time to build the relationship. You’ll never know how it will turn out. Example: I met Allie Trumpower a year or more ago because she started commenting on my blog posts on a regular basis – sincere, thoughtful, friendly comments. And just this week I hired her to design my next ebook. Relationship building – not just for offline.

Re-do your ABOUT page

If you don’t have an About page on your site, make one now. If you haven’t looked at your About page in several months, take an hour or so and just spruce it up a bit. There are all kinds of little tweaks you can make to ensure your About page is as effective as possible – and as it is one of the top pages new readers will visit, you want to MAKE SURE it’s effective.

Learn something new

 At the beginning of the year I posted some ideas for self-education. It only takes 5 minutes to request a book from the library, or download that new ebook. Teach yourself some html for you next blog design, or read up on how to make your blog content better. You don’t even have to implement anything right now, but LEARN what your next step will be.

What will you be doing this weekend?

1 comment

5 easy ways to support your fellow artists and bloggers

by Amy on February 20, 2012

One of the most amazing things about this little online community we have is the cheerleading and mutual support. I mean, really. Even though we are all *technically* competing for readers and customers you would never know it.

If I had a bunch of expendable income, I would love to do things like …. purchase notebooks from Campfire Chic, blog design from SrslyLiz, vintage dresses from Mandi and sponsor Rachel every month. I wish.

Even without the funds to truly support the writers, artists and shops that I wish I could, there are still several easy ways to support your fellow bloggers and artists using the resources you DO have.

Comment

You may not have money to support your fellow bloggers, but you probably have just a little bit of time to comment on the thoughtful blog posts they write, or comment on the creative DIY posts they provide.

Vivs wrote about what she learned by commenting a bunch – you may be surprised at the results!

Comments to bloggers are a solid confirmation that they are not just writing into the abyss. By commenting on a post, you are telling the writer that yes, you read it, and yes, you were affected by their work. Exactly what a blogger would love to hear.

Pin their work or retweet their links

Another way bloggers and artists need support is to have their work spread and their audience grow. If you follow Mollie on Twitter, for example, you could always retweet when she links to one of her products or blog posts. If you see that James has posted an adorable DIY, you could always ‘pin’ the project so your Pinterest followers can see it to.

In any case, MOST bloggers and artists would like a bigger audience (for any number of reasons). If you can help a deserving artist grow their audience, you can help support them.

Write (or accept) guest posts

Guest posts can go 2 different ways …. Let’s say one of your favorite bloggers is going on vacation and needs some guest posting assistance. Yes, you will get exposure out of writing a solid post, but by offering your help you are certainly helping the blogger/artist enjoy their time off more. Always a help to reduce stress or someone’s to-do list.

If you have a blog yourself, you can help support your fellow blogger/artists by ACCEPTING guest posts. Of course, make sure they adhere to your blog’s aesthetic, theme and standards. But, by allowing this blogger another venue for promoting their new product, you are supporting them in their work.

Sponsor

Of course only if you HAVE the money to do so. The first and primary thing I look for when sponsoring blogs is if I want to support the work the artist/blogger is doing. I would NEVER sponsor *just* to get access to their audience (because there’s no way to guarantee that will work). Instead, I try to think about sponsoring blogs like the old patronage system in Florence in the 15th and 16th century.

By paying the blogger just that small handful of dollars, you are providing them funds that they can use to buy themselves dinner or buy more craft supplies to post more DIY projects. By giving them a small bit of money you are telling them that you support their work.

Use the platforms you have

 The final (easy) way to support artists and bloggers is to use the platform that you have – your blog or website (or class or speaking gig, etc).

Try to link naturally to art that you love. Try to work into a post exposure to a blogger you think deserves attention.

For example, every Monday afternoon I post FOUND links to any number of things – all amazing work/art/writing I think people should see.

So, as I said …. There are ways to support your fellow artists and bloggers that don’t involve buying things you don’t need or putting you in debt. You don’t always have to buy the recent $2000 to support the artist.

Use what you DO have – your time and your available platforms – to support your fellow artists and bloggers and encourage them to continue creating the work that you love.

Note: I do NOT take sponsors at Lemon and Raspberry currently, but if you would like to financially support my work take a look at any of my eBooks.

3 comments

5 easy ways to stay motivated

by Amy on January 1, 2012

 

A brand new year! Are you ready to get started??

Oh my word I LOVE the fresh start that a New Year allows …

Here are some easy ways to stay motivated throughout the new year!

CLEAN

Clear your head of distractions when you clear your workspace of distractions. Even if you’re just putting that stack of papers in a drawer for a little while, get them out of your sight.

Out of sight out of mind.

And if cleaning your workspace doesn’t work … Try cleaning your house. I find that I can scrub the tub or mop without doing to much thinking about it, and I tend to come up with new ideas or solutions while my mind is wandering.

I think I might actually do this myself tomorrow …. I don’t often WANT to clean, but for some reason I’m feeling it ….

Treat yourself to a new supply, book or tool

If you’re working on a new crafting project, a new craft supply can really jump start your creativity! If you are working on a long-term project a little shot of creativity can really help you stay motivated.

Getting a new book about your subject or project can help you learn new little tips that will really encourage you to move forward and stay motivated.

Recognize your progress

I have been making note of the L&R blog/reader stats every couple months for the last year. Every time it feels like I’m just treading water or even moving backwards, I take a glance at the progress I’ve made! It’s such a good little boost…

Choose a couple ways that you can track progress on a goal…. Make a note of your current status so you can notice the progress in a few months when you need a little motivational kick.

Pick ONE goal

Just like cleaning your workspace to help focus, cleaning off your to do list and only focusing on ONE project can help keep you motivated. I tend to over commit my to do list and have several things in mind at once ….

But on a weekend I make myself focus on just one project to complete. Better be DONE with one thing than a little bit of progress on several things.

Give yourself a reward

This is not something I really use, because to me saving money is a reward, but I know that a lot of creatives really swear by it!

Give yourself permission to buy a fun toy or treat once you’ve finished your project or achieved your goal.

Give it a shot! Just picture that new Instax Mini as you struggle through the last little steps of you next product launch….

And finally …. if you haven’t yet, make sure you get my free ebook SHIFT

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5 easy ways to drive traffic to your website

by Amy on January 1, 2012

For 2012 you’re going to REALLY grow your website audience, right?

I knew it. Me too :)

Whether it’s a blog, an etsy shop or some other kind of landing page, there are some really (really) easy ways to help drive traffic to your website – some you may already be doing, some you may have never thought of.

Take a look at this list and implement ONE of these today (it’s still early in the day … you could even do 2)

Twitter profile

I don’t want to point any fingers, but I know SOME of you haven’t added your blog or shop URL to your Twitter profile.

Not only can you include your MAIN URL in the website field, but you can also include URLs in your bio section.

Think about every time you find a new Twitter user – if you like her tweets enough you’ll also want to find where you can get more from that person. Your eyes go STRAIGHT to the profile and look for a blog or website, right? I do, for sure.

Depending on how your Twitter followers found you, they may have no idea you have an Etsy shop. Don’t lose this chance to spread the word.

Facebook profile

My facebook profile is pretty much completely unrelated to Lemon and Raspberry. I keep my Facebook account to stay connected to friends and family I know “in real life” around the country.

Which means that any time I include a link to an L&R post in my Facebook status there is a chance that a brand new reader could click through and find my site!

Don’t assume that all your Facebook friends know what you’re doing when you’re not on Facebook. Include links to your site regularly in status updates or in your profile details.

Etsy shop

I know YOU would never do this – but you have friends who have and it’s your job to steer them right.

As part of your Etsy store profile, you have a section you can enter an ‘about’ section with a description of your shop and company. This is the PERFECT place to put your blog (or other website) URL.

2 quick tips: Make sure you put the link near the top. The ‘about’ section has a limited space, and if your link falls after the ‘read more’ break some buyers may not see it. Also, make sure you include the http:// at the beginning of the URL so the website address is clickable.

Make it as easy as possible for new readers to get to your site.

Public appearances

And, by “public appearances” I mean when you are out with people. Although, if you happen to have the keynote speech at a conference this year good for you!

This is something I have yet to do, but be sure you have an easy way to share your URL in the event your blog, shop or website comes up in conversation.

My plan is to print up a bunch of Moo mini cards this year. They’re small and easy to hand out without the formality of ‘business cards’. Google creative business cards for even more ideas of making your mark without being cliche.

Email signature

Any time you send an email you have a chance to just casually remind readers that you have an online presence.

Nearly any email program will allow you to set up a rule that adds set text to the end of any email. Generally this is where you’ll put your NAME at least, but even if it is just a personal email account you can still include your personal blog URL or twitter account in the email signature.

This is a great way to remind people like your aunt, old high school friends or any non-internet friends that you have an etsy shop they can check out.

For more blogging ideas, including ideas for how to keep those eyeballs on your site once you’ve attracted them, check out the Better Blog Content Workbook – 30% off today!

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5 easy ways to spruce up your About page

by Amy on April 19, 2011

Yesterday I guest-posted over on Campfire Chic (I’m one of Kam’s sponsor’s this month) ….

Make sure you head on over to read my top 5 tips for sprucing up your About page

(confession: I asked Kam to wait til Monday to post it so I could have a chance to spruce up my own About page. I’d love it if you could take a look at the newest version and let me know what you think!)

And once you’re done reading that, go check out these other resources from around the web:

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5 easy ways to make your heart happy

by Amy on November 30, 2010

… and you can do all of these for under $10 if you want to!

I’m a big fan of appreciating simple pleasures. Of finding ways to entertain and take care of yourself without spending a bunch of money.

Part of this has to do with the wisdom behind “money can’t buy happiness”…

Part of this has to do with forcing yourself to think outside-the-box and do more with less…

… but part of it also has to do with reducing stress as much as possible.

Ex: If I go spend $150 on theater tickets, I will LOVE it. I guarantee I will enjoy myself pretty much no matter what the show. But if I don’t really have that $150 to spend, it will only stress me out before, during and after-the-fact trying to figure out where in my budget I’ll have to cut back on.

And stress gives me a headache.

And when I have a headache, my heart is not happy ….

SO!

Here are some of my favorite ways to brighten up my own day.

And yes, you can do ALL five of these for under $10. Easily.

Take $2-3 to a goodwill, used bookstore or estate sale –

There is a used bookstore not far from me that sells ANY book for $1. Just $1. One of my favorite “dates” to go on with Andrew is a few hours at that store. Yes, it takes time to look through the only-barely-organized shelves. But the pay off? Immense.

The goal with this tip to make your heart happy is to leverage a couple dollars into something that may not be worth a lot of money, but worth a lot of happiness.

$2 of books can equal hours of reading and inspiration and learning.

$3 second-hand shoes can equal days, weeks, years of walking and playing and enjoying yourself.

Use your imagination and spend the time to find yourself a hidden gem that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on. The thrill of the hunt as well as the joy of finding such a treasure will certainly make your heart happy.

Take $2-3 to the grocery store and buy yourself a ”luxury” –

I buy a lot of store brand food. I tend to only buy the fruit and veggies that are on sale, and I am quite adept at talking myself out of things I don’t “need.”.

Once, when I was in college and on a tight budget, my future mother-in-law sent me a check for $20. Told me to buy something I wanted but didn’t need.

Just that permission to spend a little bit of extra money made my heart so happy.

It was SUCH a treat. Such a reward for sticking to my budget and being responsible every other hour of the day.

I bought myself ice cream and loved every second of it.

You might be surprised what just a couple dollars can get you at the grocery store: a whole gallon of ice cream, magical Honeycrisp apples (instead of the plain Red Delicious), whipped cream to add a little bit of amazing to your morning coffee….

Indulge in just that one thing that you’ve been denying yourself for weeks. You totally deserve it.

With a little creativity, your couple dollars spent at the grocery store can make your heart so happy.

Buy or “borrow” a pretty magazine at your local bookstore –

Borders and Barnes and Nobles have those comfy chairs all over their store for a reason.

Think about all the (technically) free resources that you can indulge in just by spending time in the store.

I am not a designer by any stretch of the imagination, but I love to pull a couple of fancy schmancy arty design magazines (you know the kind that are so incredible they only publish twice a year) and sit and just LOOK.

Be sure to take a journal or other means of noting ideas with you.

Especially if you look at magazines outside of your normal fare, just that little exposure outside of your every day will surely start the creative juices flowing.

And I know that always makes my heart happy.

Find or plan something to look forward to –

Travel, TV show, picking up a book from the library.

It could be anything.

Anticipating something fun always makes my heart happy.

Look at your calendar and remind yourself what events are coming up. Plan your outfit, even if it is 3 weeks ahead of time.

If you don’t have any already-scheduled fun things to look forward to, plan one!

Invite your friend over for dinner on Sunday night. Start looking at hotels in your hopefully-next-summer vacation locale. Schedule a day off work for no reason in particular.

Heck, even just check out what Netflix movies are due to mail soon and learn a bit more about them.

If you have something coming up in the future you are excited about, I’m sure that will make your heart happy.

Take coffee to your favorite park or beach or backyard and sit quietly –

Or apple cider, or a fruit smoothie or bottle of water. Fruit. Pretzels. Anything, really.

Andrew and I like to visit a local (Malibu) little corner of a state beach that is far less populated than the bulk of Southern California beaches … Plus we try to go early on a Sunday morning (you’ll find there are a lot less beach-goers before 11a).

I love (love) just taking a few hours out of the weekend to just sit on the rocks over looking the surf and watch. Maybe take some photos, maybe read a book, maybe take a little nap. But mostly just people watch and nature watch.

It is such a relaxing past time – I can’t recommend it more highly!

Maybe you have a park nearby to walk to. Maybe you can visit the beach on an early morning.

Just take some time to be quiet and watch.

It will absolutely make your heart happy!

Those are some of my favorite, easy, inexpensive ways I know to just remind myself what a good life I have and make my heart happy….

Try one of them this week!

What are your favorite tips for how to make your heart happy?

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